Keyboard tape perforator



E. E. KLEmscHMmT.

KEYBOARD TAPE PEFORATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY l5, 1919.

Patented J 11110 27, 1922.

3 sains-SHEET 1.

I I v muy v1 NVENTOR. t

ATTORNEY.

E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT.

KEYBOARD TAPE PERFORATOR.

Armcmon man uw 16.1919. 1,420,931 Patented June 27, 1922.

3 sains-skin 2.

A TTORNE Y.

INVENTOR WITNESS:

E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT.

KEYBOARD MPE Penmanoa.

PPLICATIUN FILED )ULY H 19I9 1,420,931 Pafnted Jun 27, 1922.

3 SHEElS-SHEEI 3. f Jy ff 162 if INVENTOR.

UNITED sTATEsPATEN-T oFFlcE.

EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

KEYBOARD TAPE PEBFORATOR.

' Application filed July 16,

To. all whom -t muy concern.'

15e it known that l. llnwann ll. Kenmstrnnn'r, a citizen of the l`nited States. residing in New York. borough of lrooklvn. in the'couuty of Kings and State of New York. have invented certain new and uset'ul improvements in a Keyboard Tape Perforator. of which the following is a specification.

M v invention relates to an apparatus which is particularly applicable for per forating tape, by means of punches which are actuated in combinations to form corresponding combinations of openings in -the tape` so that when the latter is passed through a transmitter, the message which has been perforated in the tape may be sent.

In the embodiment of my invention here shownthe tape is perforated in general in accordance with the llaudot system. l

lily invention has for one ot' its objects the provision of a simple, compact and efficient apparatus for performing the perforating operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an indicating mechanism particularly applicable to a perfor-ating machine, but which is obviously applicable to other uses.

My invention will best be understood b v reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a plan view of the perforating machine embodying mv invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of Fig; l; Fig, El is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 2: Fig. 4 is a plan view of the punching mechanism aml the parts associated therewith. the cover plate for the mechanism being removed; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the punching mcchanisn'i; Fig. (3 is a side elevation. partially in section. at right angles to Fig..i': Fig. T is a detail view showing particularly the manually-operated mechanism for returning the tape through the perlorator; Fig. H is a side view of the counting mechanism; Fig. Sl is an end view. partiallv in section. of the counting mechanism: Fig. lll is a detail view illustrating the udjustable arrangement for the punch controllers; Fig. 1l is a diagram showing the circuit in which is included the punch actu ating magnet. and Fig. l2 is a diagram illustrati-ng the lamp circuit.

Referring. now. to the drawings` in which l have .shown onc embodiment o1' in v invention and in which like reference characmechanism.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 27, 1922.

1919. Serial No. 311,328.

ters indicate like parts. l() is the frame of the machine. which ma)v be provided with resilient bearing-feet ll. The perforator is actuated by key-bars 12. on the ends of which are secured finger keys 13. peratirlg` bars 14. which I shall for convenience term T bars. are disposed beneath the'key-bars and extend transversely thereof. Certain of these key-bars. which are here shown as five in number and indicated by the characters 14 (see Fig. 2), are used for operating the punch controllers; a vsixth bar, 14", actuates contacts which control the circuit for the operating magnet for the punches, while the seventh bar, 14, actuates the counting The cross pieces of the key-hars are notched on their under sides, as at 15 (see Fig. 2), leaving irojections 16 which engage the upper e ges of the. T-bars` it belng understood that the notches and projections are so arranged as to depress the T'- bars in various combinations corresponding to the particular key character Vcarried by the key-bar. ln order that the T-bars may all be depressed substantially the same amount bythe various key-bars, the kevbars 12 associated with the front bank ot keys are pivoted at the rear ofthe machine on a transverse arm 17, while the key-hais 1Q" associated with the middle and rear banks of finger keys are pivoted on a transverse barlS -in advance of the bar 17. such an. arrangement producin a sufficiently uni form depression of the bars by the various key-bars. The key-bars are normally held in an elevated position by springs lJ connected to the. ends of the key-bars which project` beyond the plates 17 and 1R. the other ends of the springs being connected to a stationary member. as best shown in Fig.

liach of the T-bars 14 is provided with a downwardly extending stein 2H. as best shown in Fig. lever 21 for actuating a corresponding punch controller iQ pivotcd to each of the T-barsl 14", each lever being pivoted at an intermediate point at 1:1 in a bracketor bar 23 secured to the frame. the outer ends of the levers l1 normally being depressed b v lsprings 21g. A second bar 21. parallel to the bar 21, is pivoted to the lower end of the stem 2|) ot the T-baz. the other end of the bar 4 being pivotcd yit 25 to the bar 23. the parts being so arranged as to form a parallelogram, which insau'esl parallel movement to the T-bar in its downward movement. The free end of each of the levers 21 is pivoted, preferably by means of a pin and slot connection, as shown in Fig. 3, to one end of a bell-crank 26 pivotcd at 2T in a bracket 2B secured on a base plate 29, which acts as a support for the punching mechanism and is secured to the frame of the machine. The downward movement of the T-bar thus elevates the free end of the lever 21 and correspondingly the Yend of thebellcrank to which this level' is connected and throws the vertical arm of the bell crawl: lover to the left, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 6, to bring the punch controllers into operative position beneath the punches in a manner that will presently be described.

In atcordance with my invention, prorision is made for adjusting the positionsof the punch controllers by providing an adjustable extension 21" on the ends of the levers 21. The two members 21 and 21 are pivated. together at 21"` and are provided with laterally extendirg arms, the arm for the extension 21". whi-n is indicated at 21, be ing provided with an arcuate slot 21, in which is received a pin 21e secured to the lateral arm of the lever 21, Which arm is disposed behind the arm 21, and is only partially shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. The two lateral arms are secured together by a clamping nut 21f. By loosening the nut 21', the extension 21l may be raised or lowered as desired to position the corresponding punch controller.

In accordance with my invention, the punch controllers are mounted in and movable with a head which is directly actuated bars, the outer ends of which are pivoted at 31 to the upper ends of the bell-crank levers 26. The inner or free ends of the punch controllers are received in slots 32 formed in a. saddle 33 which is mounted on the vertically-movable operating head 34, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Abovethe controllers 30 are disposed punches 35 corresponding in numben (five in the embodiment here shown) to the punch controllers. The punches pass through suitable openings provided in an upper guide late 36, forming a. part of the cover for tie controllers, and also through openings in a lower guide plate 37, forming the lower part of a yoke-shaped bracket 38 secured beneath the cover plate. The punches are provided with collars 39, and they are all normally depressed with the collars wsting against the lower guide plate 37 by a comb 40, which is pivoted at 41, the comb being forced downwardly by a spring 42 (see Figs. 4 and t3), a plate or washer 43 provided with openings closely surrounding the punches being disposed between the comb and the collars. The purpose ol' this plate or washer is to prevent the comb, which would engage the collars only at two diametrically opposite parts, from wearing away the collars. The lower ends of the punches, which project beneath the plate 3T, register with the punch controllers 30. The

inner ends of the latter are notched, as at 44 (Fig. 6). leaving a reduced section which always engages within the slots 32 in the saddle 33, and act as guides, the reduced section of the controller. however, not being thick enough to engage the lower ends of the punches when the operating head is elevated. When the head is raised, therefore, with the punch controller occupyinor the position shown in Fig. 6, the controller does not engage the punch. 1V hen, however, the controller is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, the unreduced portion of the end of the punch cont-roller is brought beneath the punch, and when the operating head is raised, ina manner which will be more fully hereinafter described, the correspcmling punch is raised to perforate the paper. A die plate 45 isdisposed above the cover plate 36, and is provided with openings 4G registering with the punches. A slot 47 is provided hetween the die plate and the cover plate., through which the paper to be perforated passes. One of the punches 35a (see Fig. 5) which may be smaller than the message perforating punches, is used for punching feed holes in the paper. The punch 35a is engaged by a stud or pin 48 mounted on the operating head, which actuates the feed punch each time that the o Yrating head is raised. Since the operatinglliead is attached directly to and forms a part of the core T4, and the ends of the punch controllers vare disposed between the operating head and t-he punches, the impact of thc core 74 produces a hammer effect on the punches which greatly increases the certainty and effectiveness of the punching operation. Y

The paper is fed forward each time the operating head is actuated by a pawl 49 which engages a ratchet 50 mounted on a shaft 51 havingr its bearings in ayoke-shaped bracket 52 (see Figs. 5 and 7) secured on the under side of the'cover plate of the punch controllers. A feed wheel 53 is also secured on the shaft 51 and is provided` on its periphery, with pins which engage the feed openings in the tape in a well understood manner. A skeleton presser bar 54 having a loop disposed above the feed wheel is secured on the upper side of the cover plate` as shown in Fig. 1` to maint-ain the paper in engagement with the feed wheel and at the same time render the tape visible to the operator. The paWl 49 is held in engagement. with the ratchet 50 by a spring 55. thc pawl iio 0 gages the ratchet 50 to prevent the latter from overstepping. In orderto enable the operator to feed the tape backward through the machine and correct any error that may have been made in the perforations, a manually-operated lever 57 is provided which is pivoted at 58, as best shown in F ig, 7. The end of the lever is provided with a finger key 59, the opposite end of the lever being normally depressed by a coil spring 60. The inner end of the lever 57 is provided with a cam member 61 whichengages a stud 62 secured-on the side of the pawl 49,

so that when the ke 59 is depressed thecam member 61 is raisedy and forces the pawl 49 away from enga ement with the ratchet 50. The lever 57 is a so provided with a pawl 63, as best shown in Fig. 4, pivotedat 64 on a lug 65 projecting laterally from the lever 57. The pawl 63 en ages on`e of the teeth on the feed wheel 53a ter the pawl 49 has been released from its ratchet and rotates the feed, wheel backwards sufficiently to bring the improperly punched openings opposite the punches. The operator may then, by actuating the letter key (designated LTRS in Fig. 1), operate all of the punches and this acts as an erasure. A chute is preferably disposed above the punches to carry away the punchin s from the tape. The paper tape 67 (indicated by divergin dotted lines in Fig. 1) which is to be per orated, may conveniently be wound upon a spool 68 mounted in a' disc-shaped casing 69, the tape assin throu h an openin 70 (see Fi 1) iii the ide wa l of4 the cash? A collapgsible copy holder 69 Il is referaly mounted on the top of the disc-s aped receptacle.V The receptacle 69 may be mounted-on the cover 71 of the machine.

The punch-operating head 34 is actuated by a solenoid 72 which is energized in response to the actuation of any one of the finger keys of the keyboard. The solenoid is mounted on the base plate 29 and is surrounded by a yoke 73. of magnetic material. The solenoid is provided with a core 74 secured in any desired manner to a non-magnetic member (indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 6) and secured .to the operating head 34. The circuit of the'magnet 72 is -con trolled by a pair of contacts 75 and 76 (see Figs. 3 and 11) the contact 75 being carried by and movable with the stem 20 of the T-bar 14". Any suitable source of energy, such as a battery 77, which may be connected to a terminal block 78, is included in the circuit o the magnet 72. It will, of course, be

understood that each of the key-bars is arran ed to depress the Tbar 14"A when actuate the depression of the T-bar `closing the contacts 75 and 76.

i I will now describe the construction and operation of the counter, which affords the o erator a visible indication of the number o :character spaces that have been formed in a-given line and a separate indication when a sufficient number of the character keys have been depressed to bring the paper in the typewriter printer, which is actuated in response to the transmitter through which the tape is passed, to the end of the line.

In the embodiment of my invention here shown, the`counter comprises an indicator wheel 80 mounted on a shaft having its bearings in a plate or bracket 81. secured on the frame of the machine. The wheel is provided on itsperiphery with numbers 82 which are visible through an opening 83 in the cover 71 of the machine (see Fig. 1), the number which is visible indicating the extent to which the wheel has been Vrotated and correspondingly indicating the aggregate number of c aracter keys that have been depressed and the movement of the paper carriage of the printer. Secured on one side of the wheel 80 is a ratchet 84 which is actuated by a pawl 85 pivoted on an arm 86 which is, in turn, pivoted at .87 on the bracket 81, the pawl being forced towards the ratchet and actuated by a spring 88. The outer end of the arm 86 is disposed above the T-bar 14C which is especially provided for actuating the counter. In operation, the depression of the T-bar 14 permits the spring 88 to actuate the pawl 85, the T-bar 14c actuatin the arm 86 and the pawl 85 on its return. gPhe T-bar 14 is actuated by each vof the character keys, but is not actuated by such keys as the carriage return (CARR. RET.) and the line feed keys. A retanin pawl 89 is held in engagement with the rate et 84 by a spring 90, the end of which pawl is formed to engage the end of the pawl 85 and acts as a stop to limit its movement. The key-bar associated with the carriage return key carries a downwardly projecting arm 91 (see Fig. 8) which,when depressed, engages a'n arm 89 projecting from the pawl 89, in order to release the pawl from the ratchet 84. The pawl 89 is also provided with an arm 89b which engages a tail-piece on the pawl 85 when the retaining pawl is released from the ratchet and moves the pawl 85 away from the ratchet. The pawl 89 is further provided with an arm 89c which engages a notch 97 in an arm 98 pivoted at 99 and pressed towards the arm 89"I by a spring 100 when the pawl 89 is released from the ratchet. These parts are provided in order to insure the return of the indicator wheel to its zero position when the same has been released. When the pawls are thus released from the ratchet 84, the latter is returned to its zero position by a spring 92 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8).

'l`hc indicator wheel is stopped in its zero position by a stud 93 secured on the side of the wheel` which engages an arm 9-1 which is preferably formed as part of an elbow lever, the opposite arm of which is provided with a lateral extension 95 on which is Secured a `vietding member 96 of felt or other yielding material to absorb the shock on the return of the indicator.

In order to afford the operator an additional indication when the counter mechanism has been moved an extent corresponding to the spaces which would carry the carriage of a typewriter to the end/ot the line, an electric circuit is provided in vhich is included an indicator, such as an incandescent lamp. The mechanism which closes this circuit comprises a hell-crank 101 pivoted at 101 in the bracket 81. one arm of the bell-crank being disposededjacent the indil cator and provided with a cam surface 102.

arranged to be engaged by the pin or stud 5).'-5 on the ndicatoravheel when the latter has reached the endof its rotation. The upper end of the bell-'crank is then moved to the right. as viewed in Fig. 8, amd the other arm ot' the bell-crank carrying an insulating pin or member 103v is depressed. The pin 1021 engages a spring-blade 104 carrying a contact 105',r which, when depressed. engages a lsecond contact 10G carried by a springblade 10??. The engagement of these contacts closes a circuit for a lamp 10H which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. l. and in full in Fig. 2, the lamp preferably being disposed beneath the bank of keys to afford the operator an additional visible signal when the line space has been filled. Any suitable source. of electric energy,4 such as the battery 109 illustrated. is included in the circuit ot the lamp. The indicator Wheel is provided with a stud 109EL which engages the upper end of the arm 98 when the indicator wluwlrcturns to its zero positition. in order to release the 'arm H9" of the paw] from the notch Sti'. and thus insure the return of all parts to nornal.

'hat l claim and desire to secure b v lacttcrs latcnt ol' thc l'nitcd States is:`

1. ln a pcrl'orating machine` a pluralit v of punches for pcri'oratingfthe tape. a singlc clcctromagnet and its movable core substantially cti-axial with` and arranged for actuY ating said punches. a reciprocating punchoperating hcad disposed bctwccn said magnet and said punches. a plurality ol' punch controllers movable into and out of opcvatii'e registry with said punches. a lv'cylmard selector mechanism constructcd aud ranged to set said punch controllers in combinations corres|mmling to the characters on thc keyboard. said head luingattarhcd dil'cctl)T to and operable by tlie armature of `said magnet.

2. ln a pcri'orating machine. a plurality ot punches for perforating the tape. a single solenoid and its movable core substantially co-axial with and arranged for actuating Said punches, a reciprocating punch-operating head disposed between said solenoid and said punches, a plurality of punch control- Iers movable into and out of operative registryy with saidy punches, a keyboard selector mechanism constructed and arranged to set said punch controllers in combinations corresponding to the characters on the keyboard. said head being attached directly to and operable by the core of said solenoid, thc punch controller bcing located between said head and the punches.

Si, ln a pert'oratiug machine. a plurality of punches` for pcrforating the tape. a Solcnoid and its core for actuating said punches. a reciprocating punch-operaiing head disposed between said Solenoid and said punches, a plurality of punch controllers carried by said head and movable into and out of operative registry with said punches` a keyboard lselector mechanism constructed and arranged to set said punch controllers in combinations corresponding to the character on the keyboard, said head being directly attached to and operable by the core of said solenoid. and said head being provided with a saddle formed with slots within which thc punch controllers are received.

l. ln a pcrl'orating machine. a pluralit)Y olE punches lor pcrt'orating the tape. a solenoid and its core for actuating said punches, a reci|nocating punch-operating head attached directly to said core and disposed between said solenoid and said'punches. a plurality ot' punch controllers carried by said head and movable into and out of opcrativc registry with said punches. a keyboard selector mechanism constructed and arranged to set said punch controllers` in combinationsl corresponding to the characters on the keyv board. said head being provided with a saddle formed with slots. the controllers being formed with reduced sections received within said slots.

ln a pcrforatiug machine. a plurality oi' punches for pcrt'orating the tape. means for actuating said punches. punch controllcrs movable into and out of registry with said punches. a keyboard selector mechanism 'constructed and arranged to sct said punch controllers in combinations corresponding to tbc characters on thc keyboard. .said mechanismcomprisinga lcvc" provided withauextension adjustable \vi.|| respect to the main lever. wherebyl tbc position of the corresponding punch controller mayv be adjusted.

o. ln a pertorating machine. a plurality of punches for pertorating the tape. means' t'or actuating said punches. punch controllcrs movable into and out ol' registry with said pum-hes. a keyboard selector mechanism constructed and arranged to set said punch controllers in combinations corresponding to the characters on thc keyboard, said mechanism comprising bell-cranks, one end of each of which operates a corresponding punch controller and to the other end of which is connected the end of an operating lever, said lever being provided with an extension adjustable with respect to the main lever, whereby the normal position of said punch controller may be adjusted.

'l'. In combination with a plurality of tape perforating punches provided withA collars, means for operating said punches, means for guiding said punches, and means common to said punches and engaging said collars for returning said punches to normal position.

8. In combination with a plurality of tape perforating punches provided with collars, means for operating said punches, means for guiding said punches, means common to said punches and engaging said collars for returning said punches to normal position, and a plate having openings to receive said punches and located between said returning means and said collars.

9. In a machine for use in printing telegraph systems and the like, keyboard mechanism comprising an operating bar actuated only by the character keys, a stepbystep indica tor, means operated mechanically by the actuation of said operatingr bar for actuating Said indicator. an electrical indicator, and means for operating said electrical indicator when said step-by-step indicator reaches a predetermined position.

10. In a machine for use in telegraph printing systems and the like, keyboard mechanism containing a plurality of keybars, a common operating bar actuated by each of said keybars, an indicator, and means controlled by said operating bar for operating Said indicator.

11. In a machine for use in printing telegraph systems and the like, a keyboard mechanism comprising an operating bar actuated by each of the character keys, a countermechanism actuated by said operating bar and comprising a ratchet for operating ,the counter, an operating pawl for operating said ratchet, and a retaining paWl arranged to be engaged by and act as a stop for said operating pawl. y

12. In a machine for use in printing telegraph systems and the like, a keyboard mechanism comprising an operating bar actuated by each of the character keys, a counter-mechanism actuated by said operating bar and comprising a ratchet for operating the counter, an operating pawl for said ratchet, and a retaining pawl for the ratchet constructed and arranged to act as a stop for said operating pawl, and on disengagement from the ratchet to disengage the operating pawl.

13. In a machine for use in printing telegraph systems and the like, a keyboard mechanism comprising an operating bar actuated by each of the character keys, a counter-mechanism actuated by said operating bar and comprising a ratchet for operating the counter, an operating pawl for operating said ratchet, and a retaining pawl formed with an arm arranged to engage the operating pawl and act as a stop therefor and also formed with an arm arranged to disengage the operating pawl from the ratchet when the retaining pawl is disengaged.

14. In a perforating machine, a feed Wheel for feeding the tape forwardly, a ratchet movable with said feed Wheel, an operating pawl for rotating said ratchet, and means for disengaging said pawl from its ratchet, and simultaneously rotating the feed Wheel backwardly.

15. In a perforating machine, a feed wheel for 'feeding the tape forwardly, a ratchet movable with said feed wheel, an operating pawl for rotating said ratchet, and a manually operated member for disengaging said pawl from its ratchet and simultaneously rotating the feed wheel backwardly.

16. In combination, a tape feed Wheel, perforating means for the tape, a single electromagnet having a core armature, a. pawl carried by said armature for actuatin said feed wheel, and means operable by said for actuating said perforating means.

17. In combination, a tape feed wheel, per forating means for` the tape,a single electromagnet having a core armature1 means carried by said armature for rotating said feed wheel in one direction, and means for releasing said rotating means to rotate said feed wheel in the opposite direction.

18. In combination, a tape feed wheel, perforating means for the tape, a single electromagnet having a core armature, a pawl carried by said armature for rotating said feed wheel in one direction, and means for releasing said pawl to rotate said feed wheel in the opposite direction.

19. In combination, a tape feed wheel, perforating means for the tape, a single electromagnet having a core armature, an operating head on said armature and substantially coaxial with said perforating means, means on said head for actuating said feed wheel, and means operable by said head for actuating said perforating means.

` 20. In combination, a plurality of perforating means provided with collars, means for operating said perforating means, a comb for returning said perforating means to normal positions, fora-ting means located above and below said comb.

EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT.

and guide plates for said pei-,

armature 

